As spring approaches, bird activity in my garden has really started to increase. The tūī are pairing up, the bellbird is still making regular visits, and the silvereye population has grown noticeably. It won’t be long before the nesting season begins, and things will quieten down for a while.
In the meantime, however, the local cats have noticed the busy bird feeder. One particularly determined cat has tried to take advantage of what must look like a free buffet. Thankfully, the speed of the birds, and the height of the feeder, have kept them safe so far. Even so, the cat did manage to leap high enough to claw the bottom edge of the feeder, nearly tipping it over in the process.
To protect the birds, we are currently building a new bird feeder design. This improved feeder will be taller, with a wider base to prevent tipping. The post will also be wrapped in smooth PVC pipe so the cat cannot climb it. We are still fine-tuning the build, but once complete it will give the birds a safer place to feed without the constant risk of predators.
Creating safe feeding areas is an important part of backyard bird photography and bird conservation. By keeping cats away from feeders, we can enjoy more visits from tui, bellbirds, silvereyes, and many other native species throughout the year.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this latest set of images of our resident bellbird, tui and silvereyes. Your feedback is always appreciated, and if you know someone who would enjoy this post, please share it. You can also get in touch with me anytime via my [contact form].
